Meet Kate Loeb | Interior Design & Construction Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Loeb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
One thing people don’t realize about our industry, especially here in Houston, is that there’s a huge difference between a contractor and a true design-build partner. Most homeowners think all contractors are the same – they assume we just show up, tear things down, and rebuild what was there before. But the reality is, many contractors in Houston are purely transactional – they’re focused on getting in, getting out, and moving to the next job.
What outsiders don’t understand is that companies like Artosa operate more like architects of your lifestyle. We’re not just replacing your kitchen cabinets – we’re studying how you actually live in your space. Do you entertain? Do you have kids who do homework at the island? Do you need that coffee station positioned just right for your morning routine?
The misconception is that renovation is just about making things look pretty. But the real craft is in understanding the ‘why’ behind every design choice. When we do our 3D renderings and space planning, we’re not just showing you what it will look like – we’re showing you how it will function for your specific family’s needs.
Here in Houston, with our unique challenges like humidity, foundation issues, and storm damage, you need a partner who understands both the aesthetic vision AND the technical realities of building in our climate. That’s what separates true design-build professionals from the ‘lowest bid’ contractors that unfortunately give our industry a bad reputation.

What should our readers know about your business?
Artosa Interior Design & Construction is so much more than a typical renovation company – we’re lifestyle architects who happen to specialize in transforming Houston-area homes. What truly sets us apart is our unique combination of design expertise and construction mastery under one roof, plus our deep understanding of what it means to build in Houston’s challenging climate.

I’m most proud of how we’ve created a business model that eliminates the typical homeowner nightmare of coordinating between separate designers and contractors. With my 10+ years in design and Bryan’s 15+ years in construction and insurance restoration, we offer something rare in our industry – true accountability from concept to completion. When we say ‘full-service,’ we mean it. From 3D renderings to the final walkthrough, it’s all us.

Getting here definitely wasn’t easy. We started with a vision but faced the classic challenges of funding, marketing, and building credibility in a market flooded with contractors who’ve unfortunately given our industry a mixed reputation. The biggest lesson I learned early on was that in Houston, you’re not just competing on design – you’re competing on trust. Homeowners here have been burned by contractors who disappear mid-project or cut corners.

We overcame those challenges by being radically transparent. We provide itemized estimates, detailed Gantt chart timelines, and we actually encourage clients to stay in their homes during renovations when possible. We also leveraged Bryan’s insurance adjusting background – in a city that deals with frequent storm damage, having someone who truly understands insurance claims and restoration work has been invaluable.

The biggest lesson? Premium doesn’t mean pretentious. We use luxury materials and deliver sophisticated results, but we communicate in plain English and treat every client’s home like it’s our own. We’ve learned that people don’t just want beautiful spaces – they want partners they can trust with their biggest investment.

What I want the world to know about Artosa is that we’re proof that the construction industry can be different. We’re bilingual, we’re transparent about costs, we provide warranties on our workmanship, and we never charge change order fees. We believe luxury renovation should be an exciting journey, not a stressful ordeal.

We’re not just changing spaces; we’re changing how people experience the renovation process in Houston. Every project is a chance to show that craftsmanship, integrity, and exceptional design can coexist beautifully.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my gosh, a week in Houston? My best friend would be in for such a treat! As someone who’s lived and worked in the Cypress/northwest Houston area for years, I’ve discovered some incredible gems that most tourists never find.

Day 1 – Welcome to Houston Vibes:
Start at The Breakfast Klub for the most amazing chicken and waffles – it’s a Houston institution! Then we’d hit Buffalo Bayou Park for a morning walk with those gorgeous downtown skyline views. Evening would be The Heights – dinner at Coltivare for incredible pizza, then drinks at Better Luck Tomorrow for craft cocktails.

Day 2 – Museum District & Midtown:
Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Contemporary Arts Museum – the architecture alone is stunning inspiration for my design work! Lunch at Hugo’s for authentic Mexican (being bilingual, I appreciate authentic flavors). Evening at Discovery Green for whatever event they have going, then Truck Yard Houston for the most Instagram-worthy drinks.

Day 3 – My Northwest Houston Favorites:
This is where I get to show off my actual neighborhood! Vintage Park for shopping and lunch at North Italia. Then Mercer Botanic Gardens in Humble – it’s this hidden gem with beautiful walking trails. Dinner at The Union Kitchen in Spring – local favorite that feels like a well-kept secret.

Day 4 – Foodie Adventure:
Original Ninfa’s for fajitas (they invented them!), then Saint Arnold Brewing Company for the tour and tastings. Evening in Montrose – dinner at Uchi for incredible sushi, then bar hopping down Westheimer.

Day 5 – Outdoor Houston:
Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo, then Miller Outdoor Theatre if there’s a show. As someone who works with families all the time, I love spaces that bring people together. Evening at The Rustic for live music and Texas BBQ.

Day 6 – Galveston Day Trip:
Drive down to The Strand Historic District – the Victorian architecture gives me so much design inspiration! The Rooftop Bar at The Tremont House for sunset drinks, then Shrimp ‘N Stuff Downtown for the best Gulf seafood.

Day 7 – Local Hidden Gems:
Buc-ee’s in Katy (because you can’t leave Texas without experiencing Buc-ee’s!), then Katy Mills Mall and LaCenterra for that suburban Houston experience. End at Rodeo Goat for gourmet burgers.

What makes Houston special to me is how diverse and unpretentious it is. You can get world-class art, incredible food from every culture imaginable, and genuine Texas hospitality all in one city. Plus, the architecture here – from historic Heights bungalows to modern downtown high-rises – constantly inspires my design work.

The people here are what really make it special though. Houstonians are incredibly welcoming, and there’s this entrepreneurial energy everywhere. Maybe it’s because we’ve all survived hurricanes together, but there’s a real sense of community that I think would surprise visitors.
Oh, and I’d definitely take them through some of the neighborhoods where we’ve done projects – Bridgeland, Fairfield, Cypress – so they could see how Houston families really live and why our design approach works so well here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, I have to give my biggest shoutout to my husband Bryan, who I’ve been married to for 19 incredible years. When people ask about Artosa’s success, they see me doing the design work and client communications, but what they don’t realize is that Bryan is the backbone of everything we do.

After 19 years of marriage and now as business partners, we’ve learned to leverage each other’s strengths perfectly. I handle the front-end client relationships and design vision, while he manages the construction execution and technical challenges. It’s a partnership that works both at home and in business, and honestly, Artosa wouldn’t exist without his unwavering support and expertise.”

Bryan brings 15+ years of construction and remodeling expertise to our company, but more than that, he’s been my biggest supporter and believer from day one. When I had the vision to start Artosa Interior Design & Construction, he didn’t just encourage me – he became my business partner and made it possible for us to offer true full-service design-build solutions.

His background in insurance adjusting and restoration work has been invaluable, especially here in Houston where storm damage and insurance claims are such a reality for homeowners. While I’m focused on the creative vision and client experience, Bryan ensures every project is structurally sound, properly executed, and meets the highest standards.

But beyond the technical expertise, Bryan has this incredible ability to problem-solve on the fly and keep projects moving smoothly. He’s the calm, steady presence that allows me to be creative and take risks with design, knowing he’ll figure out how to make it work beautifully.

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